Large numbers of tourists visiting tropical destinations can negatively impact the local environment and economy in several ways. Seasonal tourist jobs pay locals low wages, while most profits from hotels and businesses go to foreign owners. Traditional industries like farming suffer when land is sold for tourism development and locals' diets change to imported foods preferred by visitors. Over-tourism can also threaten local customs and introduce social problems by changing island cultures.

1. Describe the disadvantages of large numbers of tourists visiting a tropical
tourist area such as Barbados.
Do not be put off by the reference to Barbados. Answers can be about any
tropical area. You have studied Jamaica as a tropical tourist destination.
Level 1 (1-4 marks)
These marks are for people who only make simple statements e.g.
- jobs are seasonal
- many jobs are poorly paid
- money leaves the country
- culture is lost
- tourists cause noise
Level 2 (5-6 marks)
Longer, developed sentences are needed e.g.
- Although the weather is hot all year round the tourist jobs are
seasonal as most visitors arrive in the summer months.
- Many jobs taken by local people are low paid, the best jobs being
taken by overseas workers.
- Most hotels are foreign owned so most of the profit made goes
overseas.
- Traditional jobs like farming may suffer because tourists want
European style food, which has to be imported.
- Hotels, airports and roads spoil the visual appearance of the island
and cause noise, air pollution and litter.
Level 3 (7-8 marks)
Linked sentences needed with at least 2 disadvantages discussed in detail
e.g.
- Tourists spend most of their money in hotels, which are usually
American or European owned. Most of the profit goes overseas,
with usually only 10-20% of the income from tourism staying in
the country, usually in the form of low wages paid to low skilled
local people.
- The local farming community is damaged as land is sold to foreign
developers and food supply to locals is reduced, forcing up prices.
Much of the food eaten by tourists is imported either because local
production is insufficient or because tourists prefer European type
foods. There may be a shortage of workers on traditional farms as
wages are lower than in tourist jobs.
- Local traditions and customs may be under threat e.g. due to the
introduction of European foods. Tourists may show a lack of
respect for local customs and religious beliefs e.g. inappropriately
dressed visitors going into mosques and temples. Social problems
may be introduced or made worse e.g. drunkenness, drugs and
prostitution.